ROBBIE Fowler was the kid from Toxteth who grew up to be the undisputed king of the Kop.

ROBBIE Fowler was the kid from Toxteth who grew up to be the undisputed king of the Kop.

Fresh-faced and full of energy, 18-year-old Fowler burst on to the scene in 1993 when he made his Liverpool debut under Graeme Souness.

But it was long before then that Fowler's potential was spotted.

Born in Toxteth, on April 9, 1975, Fowler was a pupil at St Patrick's Primary School on Upper Hill Street.

He left to go to Nugent High School, in Edge Hill, in 1986 - the same year he played for Liverpool as an 11-year-old.

In 1992, aged 17, Robbie Fowler signed as a trainee for the Reds - ironically not his boyhood team. Robbie grew up an Evertonian.

The following year he made his debut in a red shirt and later that season scored EVERY goal in a 5-0 Coca-Cola Cup win over Fulham.

In 1995, Fowler was voted PFA young player of the year, an accolade he would win the following year too.

But Robbie, so used to grabbing the back page headlines, began to find his name in the newspapers for the wrong reasons.

He suffered a nose injury after a bust-up with team mate Neil Ruddock, who claimed his expensive shoes had been vandalised during a Euro trip.

Fowler, already fined #1,000 for hitching up his shorts in the direction of Leicester fans, was further fined for a "political" message during a UEFA Cup match.

The striker wore a T-shirt under his Liverpool strip supporting the city's striking dockers and was fined #900.

He then was involved in a a running feud with Chelsea's Graeme Le Saux, questioning the defender's sexuality during a match.

He was charged by the FA, along with the Chelsea star, but the two players eventually patched up their differences.

Fowler then caused a further storm when, fed up of drug-taking taunts from Everton fans, he mimicked cocaine snorting after scoring a goal. His actions caused uproar and again he faced an FA charge. This time his own club fined him a staggering #32,000.

For this, and his Le Saux bust-up, he was banned for six matches.

But his problems didn't end there. He suffered a suspected broken nose after he was beaten up in the toilets of the Moat House Hotel.

And the following year he was attacked again, this time in a city centre bar.

Shortly after, Fowler, who had just celebrated the birth of his second daughter, married his partner Kerrie Hannon at a Scottish castle.

At the beginning of this season, he was dropped following a training ground bust-up with assistant manager Phil Thompson.

Fowler was forced to make an apology or told he "will never play again" for Liverpool.

But, despite his off-the-field antics, he remained a huge Kop favourite, with many fans proud of his deep Liverpool roots.

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'From day one, he just couldn't stop scoring goals>

EVEN as a youngster, Robbie's talent was clear, his former teachers said today.

Robbie began by playing for the team at St Patrick's RC Primary school in Toxteth.

And his former teacher at the school, on Upper Hill Street, says he always remembers Robbie kicking a ball around the playground.

Steve Sanderson, who now works at St Joan of Arc in Bootle, said he was a smashing lad.

He added: "I sent him to Liverpool School Boys for trials. He was a smashing lad - he couldn't stop scoring goals.

"He's a real Liverpool boy so I'm very surprised he's gone to Leeds but I suppose that's football."

Steve always believed Robbie would go all the way because he was so talented, even at such a young age.

He said: "He used to spend all playtime kicking the ball against the wall, he was always asking questions and was very committed to football even as an 11-year-old."

John Sale coached a 14-year-old Robbie at Liverpool Boys.

He remembers Robbie as the most natural talent he's seen in 25 years as a schoolboy coach.

He said: "I suppose it was inevitable but I'm shocked - he's gone to the rivals now.

"I didn't think he would ever leave Liverpool because he's a Liverpool lad through and through."

John, head of PE at Childwall Comprehensive, believes Robbie will find the move a wrench: "He has to think about his future and he obviously feels he has no future at Liverpool."

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'Anfield's loss will be Leeds'gain'>

JOHN MACKIN, assistant editor of Liverpool fanzine Red All Over the Land, is sorry to see Robbie go.

But he added: "I think it is best for both the club and the player. He hasn't seemed to want to play for Liverpool for a year or so.

"I would hate for him to regain the form of four or five years ago, then the amount we sold him for would seem small.

"On the whole I think it is for the best and I wish him well."

Ray Fell, chairman of the Leeds United Supporters Club, added: "I am delighted with the signing. If you are looking for a goal scorer, Robbie is the one.

"I do have sympathy with Liverpool fans because I know what it is like to lose one of your own but Liverpool's loss is Leeds United's gain.

"I think something has gone wrong for Robbie and Liverpool and he is looking for a new challenge, I glad he has decided to choose Leeds."